Toomelah (2011)
Frequent strong coarse language and drug references
| Director: | Ivan Sen |
| Actors: | Daniel Conners, Christopher Edwards, Dean Daley-Jones |
Amidst the physically, emotionally and spiritually empty spaces of Toomelah, one of Australia's most impoverished Aboriginal communities, ten-year-old Daniel's life is sliding toward oblivion. All but abandoned by an uncaring mother and ruinously alcoholic father, Daniel falls in with a local drug dealer and his crew, only to find his new world of petty crime holds its own dangers.
Raw, intimate, and laced with mob humour, Toomelah seamlessly intertwines issues like the Stolen Generation, substance abuse and cultural erasure with an everyday story about one boy caught in the downward spiral of a neglected community.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 106mins |
| Origin: | AUSTRALIA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
Outback tragedy
by Simon Miraudo, 31/07/2011 3:46:00 PM
Ivan Sen is unquestionably one of the most important Australian filmmakers working today – but being regarded as an ‘important’ filmmaker can be a poisoned chalice, particularly as fans, participants and funders of local film debate the merit of so-called ‘important’ Australian cinema. I’m hesitant to praise his new film, Toomelah, despite it being comprised of typically laudable themes. Bleak and meditative, it unfortunately treads the same territory of countless pictures that have come before, and I find it hard to excuse its despairing nature when it’s so similar to so many other films. Shot by Sen over the course of 5 weeks, it concerns young Daniel (Daniel Connors), living in the indigenous mission of Toomelah (depicted as a post-apocalyptic wasteland). His father is a drunk, and his ...
Ivan Sen is unquestionably one of the most important Australian filmmakers working today – but being regarded as an ‘important’ filmmaker can be a poisoned chalice, particularly as fans, participants and funders of local film debate the merit of so-called ‘important’ Australian cinema. I’m hesitant to praise his new film, Toomelah, despite it being comprised of typically laudable themes. Bleak and meditative, it unfortunately treads the same territory of countless pictures that have come before, and I find it hard to excuse its despairing nature when it’s so similar to so many other films. Shot by Sen over the course of 5 weeks, it concerns young Daniel (Daniel Connors), living in the indigenous mission of Toomelah (depicted as a post-apocalyptic wasteland). His father is a drunk, and his mother’s a druggie, so he looks up instead to the relatively more ‘together’ older guys in the community – drug dealers (he’s got to work with what he’s got). Aggressive on the outside, and terrified on the inside, Daniel tags along with the gang, even after they’re are threatened by a newly-arrived alpha male (Dean Daley-Jones). Toomelah is far from fun (although that’s not exactly a cinematic pre-requisite), but it’s a minor instalment in this highly-specific genre. The Kid with a Bike, dealt with similar themes in a much more profound way.
2.5/5
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Member Reviews (12)
12 Member
Reviews
robyn
says
while i think every 'australian' should watch this film the language was confronting
says
An eyeopener for the viewer who has no experience with indigenous mission life. This movie is somewhat true to life and as a result is seemingly dull, boring and very slow moving, and that is probably an accurate description of most of the far removed missions in Australia. The cultural and historical scism the young children have to live through is well portrayed. A sad movie in a lot of respects.
Cairo49
says
Well acted, and no doubt totally realistic, but depressing nevertheless. There doesn't appear to be any answer to this problem. and that in itself is an awful thought.
G Dixon
says
Awful film wouldn't recommend
says
Actually after living in the Northern Territory for a few years this movie is very factual. ( and i am white) The southerners are not going to like this movie but this is so true and i was glad to see a movie portraying the facts. It may appear slow the movie but i felt it captured the struggle of these communities and the way the movie moves is probably how time moves for these people. iI was pleased it also touched on the inner workings of these communites and i felt for "Aunty" I had a friend whose grandmother was from the stolen generation and i was interested in his view about this when i used to talk to him. He also was trying to teach some of his "cousins" and "brothers" the old ways of fishing , the language etc because alot of this has been lost and his relatives also were selling the drugs just like this movie shows. If this movie depresses you it is because you dont like the fact that it is real and is happening now and that these people are stuck out in the middle of no where with no hope. Very well done. The charactors are very real.
sharon
says
terrible
Barbara Mitchell
says
Absolutely discusting movie. The language was totally unnecessary and we only watched for about 15 mins as we thought it may improve, but it didn't.
says
Wow finally an Aboriginal film which captures life on a mission so well. Ivan I hope to see more like this from you. Wonderful cast and I loved the young one's they are talents to look out for. As an Aboriginal woman it is good to see that all sides of our mob are being portrayed and not just the white view and for those who think this is a depressing film go and live on a mission we will see how you enjoy being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no work etc.
Kath
says
Pretty disapointed with this movie. Lack of storyline meant lack of interest from the viewer.
wally
says
complete rubbish
Kimberley Dave
says
This is an important Australian film, notable for its realism. Very well acted, the characters manage their roles with ease. Its worth watching as a film and yet it is also instructive as social commentary.
MAXWELL
says
THIS MOVIE DOES NOTHING BUT SHOWS THE ABORIGINALS IN A BAD LIGHT
I AM A WHITE MAN THATS LOVES ABORIGINAL ART, CUSTOMS, & STORIES OF THE DREAMTIME SO AM VERY DISAPOINTED THAT THIS MOVIE. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME WATCHING IT, UNLESS YOU WANT TO SEE ABORIGINALS IN A SELF DEGRADING MANOR SHAME ON HOWEVER LET THE PRODUCERS USE THEM IN THIS MOVIE.